Loyal Lodge No. 538
On 12 September 1921 The Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows opened a branch at Upper Lansdowne where 16 members were initiated and 3 proposed for next meeting. Those initiated included Brothers Hanington, snr; Hanington, jnr; Barlin; Mitchell; Atkinson; McLaughlin; Stace; Barlin jnr and Potts.
On 12 February 1923 the Hunter River District Grand Master visited Loyal Upper Lansdowne Lodge. A full report appeared in the Wingham Chronicle on the 16 February 1923.
In October 1923 Upper Lansdowne Lodge held a meeting of Past Grands where members of Wingham, Wherrol Flat, Taree and Lansdowne Branches attended. A report appeared in the Wingham Chronicle.
It was often the case that after a meeting closed, the hall was then opened to all visitors that were waiting. There would be dancing, singing, recitations and presentations of regalia. Refreshments were always served and enjoyed by everyone, followed by further dancing and singing until the early hours in the morning.
Each year the Lodge would hold its annual ball in the hall. This would then be followed the following night with a Juvenile Ball. On one such occasion on 21 March 1924 Past Grand regalia was presented to Bro. Mitchell who had served the office of Financial Secretary of the Lodge since its inception. An article appeared in the Wingham Chronicle on 8 April 1924.
In March 1934 the Lodge gathered in the hall for the purpose of saying farewell to Mr and Mrs Hanington and their 3 daughters who were moving to Wauchope. During his time at Upper Lansdowne, Bro. Hanington had represented Loyal Upper Lansdowne Lodge at the District Meeting, and attended his first GAMC at Orange in 1925. Bro. Hanington had also held the position of District Secretary of the Central North Coast District since its inception in 1926. He would go on to hold this position until he became Grand Master in 1951.
In December 1951 at Wauchope Masonic Hall a gathering was held to celebrate the election of Bro. Hanington to the position of Grand Master. PG Bro. Vic Atkins from Loyal Upper Lansdowne Lodge was in attendance and presented the Grand Master with a jewel as a token of esteem from the Upper Lansdowne Lodge.
In the early 1960s Loyal Upper Lansdowne Lodge had the honour of holding the MUIOOF District Conference in the Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall.
“The Uplift of Humanity”